Nepal Burns: Gen Z Protests Topple Oli Govt, Army Takes Control as Anarchy Grips Kathmandu
A tide of fiery protests, largely led by the nation’s youth, engulfed Nepal this week, culminating in the resignation of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli on Tuesday and pushing the country to the brink of chaos. In an unprecedented show of fury, demonstrators set fire to the parliament, the Singha Durbar secretariat, and the Supreme Court, while the Nepal Army moved to secure key installations, including Kathmandu’s international airport, as the civilian government crumbled.
The unrest, which initially erupted on September 8 over a now-lifted social media ban, spiraled into a nationwide revolt. The situation escalated dramatically as the death toll from the violent clashes rose to 22, with over 300 people injured. In a statement explaining his decision to step down, Oli said he was doing so “to facilitate a solution to the problem and to help resolve it politically.” However, his resignation did little to quell the anger on the streets. Protesters torched his private residence and chased Finance Minister Bishnu Prasad Paudel through the capital. The home of former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba was also attacked.
Tragedy struck the family of another former premier, Jhalanath Khanal, when his wife, Rabi Laxmi Chitrakar, died from severe burn injuries after their home was set ablaze by a mob. In a stunning breakdown of law and order, protesters stormed Nakkhu Jail, freeing former Deputy Prime Minister Rabi Lamichhane. His release triggered a mass breakout, with an estimated 900 other inmates escaping the facility.
With the political leadership in disarray, the Nepal Army stepped into the vacuum. Chief of Army Staff General Ashok Raj Sigdel issued a public appeal for calm, urging protesters to halt their agitation and engage in dialogue. “Easing the uncomfortable situation, protecting national heritage, public and private property, common citizens, diplomatic missions, and ensuring a sense of security is our common duty,” his statement read. The army had earlier warned that it would take “decisive measures” to restore order if vandalism and arson continued, and later took control of Tribhuvan International Airport after demonstrators attempted to breach its perimeter.
The crisis prompted a swift reaction from neighboring India. Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the violence as “heart-wrenching” and called for a restoration of calm. New Delhi advised its citizens against traveling to Nepal and established helplines for those stranded. The airport closure led major carriers, including Air India, IndiGo, and Nepal Airlines, to cancel all flights to Kathmandu, effectively cutting the capital off from the outside world.
